[Video-Open]

After saturating the airwaves with its commercials, the company that makes the popular arthritis drug, Vioxx, is pulling it off the market.
Company officials say they're taking "a responsible course" after new research finds an increased risk of heart attack and stroke among Vioxx users.
(------------)

[Vioxx]

Good Afternoon, I'm Kimberly McBroom.
The prognosis is NOT good for pharmaceutical giant, Merck.
An industry analyst calls this a disaster for the company.
Vioxx is one of Merck's most important drugs, with two and a-half billion dollars in sales in 2003.
But sales dipped 18 percent in the second quarter of this year, partly because of increasing concerns about the drug's safety.
Jennifer Donelan joins us now from New York with more about today's announcement.
[LIVE=NEWSPATH/FULL]
[SUPER=01-Jennifer Donelan/CBS News;]
[SUPER=05-New York, NY;]

((
AFTER DEFENDING IT'S ARTHRITIS DRUG VIOXX LAST MONTH ....OVER HEART
ATTACK AND STROKE RISK... TODAY THE COMPANY MERCK DID AN ABOUT FACE.
(SOT-Raymond Gilmartin/Merck Chairman and CEO)
"we are voluntarily pulling the drug."
NEW RESEARCH DATA FOUND THAT AFTER TAKING THE DRUG FOR 18 MONTHS SOME
PATIENTS SHOWED AN INCREASED RISK OF HEART ATTACK AND OTHER
CARDIOVASCULAR COMPLICATIONS.
(SOT-scientist)
"we are doing this for the safety of the patients."
(nats-"vioxx is here")(Television Commercial)
VIOXX IS IN A CLASS OF PAIN RELIEVERS KNOWN AS COX-2 INHIBITORS....
WHICH ARE GENTLER ON THE STOMACH THAN ASPIRIN OR IBUPROFEN.
BUT THERE HAVE BEEN SERIOUS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DRUG IN THE PAST.
JUST LAST MONTH AN F-D-A OBSERVATIONAL STUDY FOUND PATIENTS TAKING HIGH
DOSES OF VIOXX WERE THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK.
(SOT-Dr. Deepak Bhatt/Cleveland Clinic)
"
WORLDWIDE SOME TWO MILLION PEOPLE TAKE VIOXX.
PATIENTS ARE NOW BEING TOLD TO STOP USING THE DRUG AND CONTACT THEIR
PHYSICIAN.
THE GOOD NEWS IS THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES LIKE TYLENOL AND ANOTHER POPULAR
COX-2 INHIBITOR CALLED CELEBREX.
))

[220-Accident]

One lane of Route 220 near Clearbook will be closed most of the day after a tractor trailer wreck.
(+++++++)
[Take Accident Map FS]
The accident was in the southbound side near the Franklin County line.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :33]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
Roanoke County police say a truck driven by Darrin Bell Marshall ran off the right side of the road on a curve at about 6:45 this morning.
They say the truck tipped over after Marshall over- corrected, and his load of wooden dowels shifted.
The wreck and diesel spilling from the truck's tank resulted in all lanes of traffic being affected.
Police say northbound lanes are now reopened.
One southbound lane will be closed while hazmat takes care of the diesel spill.
No one was injured.
Marshall is charged with failure to maintain control of his vehicle.
(------------)

[Iraq]

Insurgents have caused more death and destruction in Iraq.
Today's attacks have killed 46 people and wounded more than 200 others.
At least two U-S soldiers are among the dead.
With the new violence comes word of more hostage- taking.
Susan Roberts has the latest.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Baghdad, Iraq;]
[SUPER=03-Fallujah, Iraq;]
[SUPER=01-Craig Bigley/Son of British Hostage;]
[SUPER=01-Susan Roberts/CBS News;]
[RUNS=]

[OUT Q=Roberts, CBS News, Washington.][Middle-East]

Hospital officials say at least seven people have been killed and 20 injured by an Israeli tank shell.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Jebaliya, Gaza Strip;]

The shell was fired during an Israeli army operation in the Jebaliya (juh-BAH'-lee-yuh) refugee camp in the Gaza Strip.
Doctors say many of the wounded are in critical condition.
Israeli troops pushed deep into the Palestinian refugee camp today, a first in four years of fighting, after a Palestinian rocket killed two children in an Israeli border town.
(------------)

[Water-Risks]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=noon]
[WRITER=jsu]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
[ENG#=]

Health officials have issued an advisory, warning people to avoid contact with flood water.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

This includes exposure to surface water from creeks, rivers and lakes.
These waters may carry bacteria and virus from human and animal waste.
When there is flooding, septic tanks and sewage treatment plants can also become flooded and discharge raw waste.
Health officials say surface waters should be avoided until flood waters recede and normal flows resume.
In meantime, the Roanoke and Alleghany Health districts are giving free tetanus shots to flood victims.
(------------)
[WX-Tease]
((KIM TOSS TO LEO))
[9/30/2004]
[SS=NONE]

LEO in WX-Center
[WXPRO/FULL]
SATELLITE
RADAR
WX STORY
[SS=NONE]

(LEO TOSS TO KIM)

[Tease1]
[HARD MUSIC UNDER]
[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[WRITER=tbr]
[ENG#=Aprisa]
Still to come on the newscast, one of the founding fathers of WDBJ-TV is remembered.
(--------------)
[VO-NAT ]

Plus President Bush and Senator Kerry make last minute preparations before tonight's debate in Miami.
(---------------)
[MUSIC UP FULL]
[COMM BREAK #1]

[Debate-Preview]

It could be make or break time tonight, as President Bush and John Kerry face each other in their first debate.

Kerry has called Bush a "very clever debator", and with polls showing him lagging behind, the Democrat has his work cut out for him.
Aleen Sirgany has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Stuart, FL;]
[SUPER=01-Sen. John Kerry/(D) Presidential Nominee;]
[SUPER=01-Allan Gazaway/Tampa Resident;]
[SUPER=01-Gigi Gidumal/New York Resident;]
[SUPER=01-Dave Faber/Florida Resident;]
[SUPER=01-Aleen Sirgany/CBS News;]
[RUNS=]
[OUT Q=Sirgany, CBS News, Coral Gables, FL.]
((
TRACK: IT'S THE POWER OF THE PRESIDENCY: HOURS BEFORE TAKING THE STAGE
AT THE FIRST DEBATE, PRESIDENT BUSH GOT AN EARLY AUDIENCE
WITH FLORIDA VOTERS AS HE ONCE AGAIN MET WITH HURRICANE VICTIMS.
(possible sot or nat sot BUSH)

TRACK: JOHN KERRY WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL TONIGHT TO APPEAR
PRESIDENTIAL. WHEN HE ARRIVED IN SOUTH FLORIDA, HE TOLD SUPPORTERS HE
CAN'T WAIT FOR THE CHANCE TO GO HEAD TO HEAD WITH THE PRESIDENT ON
FOREIGN POLICY ISSUES.
(SOT: Sen. John Kerry/(D) Presidential Candidate: ...an opportunity to
share with Americans the truth, not the sound bites.)
(STAND-UP: POLLS SHOW PRESIDENT BUSH WITH A SMALL BUT DISTINCT LEAD.
TONIGHT SENATOR KERRY MUST
ATTEMPT TO CHANGE ANY PERCEPTION THAT HE FLIP-FLOPS ON THE ISSUE. )
(SOT: Allan Gazaway/Tampa Resident
1:19:27 It really is hard to pin down what Kerry really does believe in)
(SOT: Gigi Gidumal/New York Resident
1:14:52 When I think of Kerry I think of silence and reticence)
TRACK: TONIGHT MAY BE KERRY'S LAST CHANCE TO CHANGE THOSE IMPRESSIONS:
HE'LL GET THE FIRST QUESTION. BUT ONE OF THE 32-PAGES OF DEBATE RULES
PROHIBITS THE CANDIDATES FROM DIRECTLY ADDRESSING EACH OTHER. THEY'RE
ALSO BARRED FROM ASKING THE OTHER TO MAKE CAMPAIGN PLEDGES.
(SOT: ALLAN LICHTMAN/PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLAR: short bite)

TRACK: BOTH CANDIDATES ARE TRYING TO PAINT THE OTHER AS THE MORE
EXPERIENCED DEBATER. IT'S AN EXPECTATIONS GAME...ONLY ONE MAN CAN WIN.
ALEEN SIRGANY, CBS NEWS, CORAL GABLES, FL.))

[11Smart-Road]

Four years ago, the state opened the Smart Road in Blacksburg.
The 35 million dollar high tech highway was built to test both roads and vehicles.
As Justin McLeod tells us, the people working on the project say it was money well spent.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-David Clark/VDOT Resident Engineer; :24]
[SUPER=01-Ray Pethtel/Virginia Tech Transportation Institute; :45]
[SUPER=01-Alan Lattimer/Blacksburg Resident; 1:21]
[SUPER=@justin1; 1:34]
[RUNS=1:42]
[OUT Q=JM, News 7]
((((NAT SOUND OF WATER COMING OUT))
Every fall, the floodgates are open and the public gets to see what the smartroad is all about.
[SOT 12:36:49]
[IN Q=Oh, it's]
((ALAN LATTIMER/BLACKSBURG: OH, IT'S MIND BLOWING.))
[Runs02]
[OUT Q=MIND BLOWING]

Mind blowing because of all that's going here on this two mile stretch of roadway.
It's been open just four years but in that time scientists have conducted more than 7-thousand hours of research that has led to 56 major projects.
[SOT 12:33:35]
[IN Q=They're doing a lot]
((DAVID CLARKE/V-DOT RESIDENT ENGINEER: THEY'RE DOING A LOT NIGHTIME STUDIES NOW. THAT'S IMPORTANT DOING STUDIES AT NIGHT UNDER LIGHTS WITH REAL SUBJECTS.))
[Runs06]
[OUT Q=REAL SUBJECTS]

Researchers are also developing better pavement markings, so you can see them when it's raining. (04-20 tc 37:19)
They're even tracking people's driving habits.
They're doing it by collecting data through a device built into test vehicles.
It gauges things like speed and even takes pictures.
[SOT 12:29:13]
[IN Q=As a safety device]
((RAY PETHTEL/VIRGINIA TECH TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE: AS A SAFETY DEVICE CAN WE FIND COUNTER MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY OF PEOPLE WHEN THEY'RE ACTUALLY DRIVING THEIR CAR.))
[Runs08]
[OUT Q=their car]

Scientists are also beginning to do tests on Virginia's tallest bridge which is part of the smartroad.
Future projects may involve homeland security.
[SOT 12:21:18]
[IN Q=We've been approached]
((RAY PETHTEL/VIRGINIA TECH TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE: WE'VE BEEN APPROACHED BY A COUPLE OF FIRMS WOULD LIKE TO TEST SOME ANTI-TERRORISM DEVICES.))
[Runs08]
[OUT Q=anti-terrorism devices]

So much is going here the institute has tripled in growth every year.
But the smartroad does have its critics, some think this is a total waste of money.
Those who see it firsthand disagree.
[SOT 12:36:35]
[IN Q=I think it's going]
((ALAN LATTIMER/BLACKSBURG RESIDENT: I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE IMPORTANT FOR THE LONG TERM SAFETY OF DRIVERS. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE CARS THAT WE CAN IMPLEMENT IN THE NEXT TEN TO TWENTY YEARS AND I THINK THE ROADWAYS ARE GOING TO BE SAFER IN GENERAL.))
[Runs10]
[OUT Q=GOING TO BE SAFER IN GENERAL]
[SOT ]
[IN Q= ]
((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: THE SMARTROAD WILL EVENTUALLY BE OPEN TO MOTORISTS WHEN IT'S CONNECTED TO INTERSTATE 81 BUT A LACK OF STATE FUNDS WILL NOW MOST LIKELY DELAY THAT BY SEVERAL YEARS. JUSTIN McLEOD, NEWS 7.))))

[11Harkrader]

John Harkrader who led this station for more than two decades was remembered yesterday for his integrity, professionalism, and gentle nature. He died Sunday at the age of 88.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Harkrader went to work for WDBJ radio in 1938 as a part-time announcer and salesman, and he led WDBJ television from 1958 until his retirement in 1981.
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

As family and friends gathered for his funeral, they spoke of professional accomplishment and personal relationships.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=What I remember most]
((TED POWERS/FORMER WDBJ7 PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR: WHAT I REMEMBER MOST WAS HIS TOTAL GOOD HUMOR.))
((RON MILLER/FORMER WDBJ7 NEWS DIRECTOR: IT WAS A PLEASURE TO BE WITH HIM TO WORK WITH HIM, TO HAVE HIM AS A FRIEND, AND TO HAVE HIM AS A BOSS.))
[SUPER=01-Ted Powers/Former WDBJ Public Affairs Director; :00 quick]
[SUPER=01-Ron Miller/Former WDBJ News Director; :06 quick]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=to have him as a boss.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Former colleagues say Harkrader never lost sight of WDBJ's viewers or its employees... and believed that by supporting both the station would build a strong foundation for the future.
(------------)

[11Stewart-Alderson]

Martha Stewart will soon be spending a few months in West Virginia.
She has been assigend to the minimum security prison known as "Camp Cupcake."
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Alderson, WV]

That's the nickname for the federal prison just across the state line in Alderson, West Virginia.
Stewart will serve her five-month sentence at the prison along the Greenbrier River.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT BITE At :56]
[IN Q=I don't think]
((MELINDA MARTIN/ALDERSON RESIDENT; I DON'T THINK THERE GONNA BE SOME LACE CURTAINS OVER THERE, SHE MIGHT BE MAKING SOME (LAUGHING).))
[SUPER=01-Melinda Martin/Alderson, WV Resident]
[RUNS=:05]
[OUT Q=making some. LAUGHING]
(-------------)
[VO-NAT]

The women's prison has seen its share of high-profile inmates.
Nazi propagandist Axis Sally did time there after World War Two, as did Singer Billie Holliday.
More recently, the woman who tried to kill President Ford was held there.
Lynette, Squeaky, Fromme actually escaped from the prison for a few days in 1987.
Martha Stewart must report to prison by October 8th.
A source says Alderson was picked because of its remote location-- amid fears the prisons Stewart wanted were too media-accessible.
(------------)

Scientists say a small or moderate blast could happen within the next few days.
All the rattling could be weakening the lava dome in the crater of the nearly 84- hundred foot mountain.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Well, we are]
((CYNTHIA GARDNER/GEOLOGIST: WELL WE ARE EXPECTING THAT EITHER NOTHING COULD HAPPEN OR WE PERHAPS COULD HAVE AN EXPLOSIVE EVENT. ))
[SUPER=01-Cynthia Gardner/Geologist;]
[RUNS=:07]
[OUT Q=an explosive event.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Tourists are being told to use caution while venturing into the zone of a possible volcanic eruption.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Everybody said their prayers]
((HAROLD HASSOLD/TOURIST: EVERYBODY SAID THEIR PRAYERS THIS MORNING BEFORE COMING UP BUT THAT'S AN AWFUL LOT OF INK ON THAT SEISMOGRAPH. ))
[SUPER=01-Harold Hassold/Tourist;]
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=that seismograph.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Even if Mount Saint Helens does erupt-- scientists say it wouldn't compare with the one in 19-80 that blew the top off the
mountain and killed 57 people.
(-------------)

[S-DENNEY]

In sports, a gunshot fired into a Cleveland Indians team bus last night hit pitcher Kyle Denney.
He's since been treated and released from a Kansas City hospital.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Kansas City, MO;]

Team trainers were able to remove the bullet before Denney was taken to the hospital.
His teammate Ryan Ludwick was grazed by the bullet, and was also not seriously injured.
The shooting occurred while the team was headed to the Kansas City International Airport.
Officials say the shot was fired into the side of the team's bus.
(------------)

[S-EXPOS-MARLINS]

[ANCHOR=Kim]
[NEWSCAST=morn]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=net]
[GRAPHIC=MLB]

[ENG#=2]

Montreal baseball fans have given their final farewell to the Expos.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Montreal]
The Florida Marlins rolled to a 9-to-1 win last night, hours after the Expos announced that the 36-year-old franchise will move to Washington, D-C next season.
More than 31-thousand people turned out for the final game in the Canadian city.
There was just one minor incident during the game.
Both teams left the field after a fan tossed a golf ball onto the turf, but overall most of the fans were civil.
(------------)

[S-Fleming]

This week's flooding has postponed what would have been the Spotlight Game of the week on Friday Football Extra.
William Fleming was scheduled to host Salem this Friday night, but the game is on hold due to the current condition of Victory Stadium.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]
The game has tentatively been moved to Saturday night--
But that's assuming that the Victory Stadium field area can be restored to a playable state, and that the lockerooms, bathrooms and bleachers can be cleaned up in just three day's time.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[SUPER=01-Keith Smith/William Fleming Head Coach;]
[RUNS=:13]
[OUT Q=...what to tell you."]
(---------------)
[VO NAT CON'T]
Here's what we can tell you - and show you.
This is the home lockeroom at Victory Stadium.
One option was to move the game to Salem - but that would have meant the Colonels would be giving up a home game for the second time this month.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=bite]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=...TRYING TO GET DONE."]
(--------------)
[vo nat con't]
Playing on a neutral site would be an option, but not this Friday.
This week Northside, Cave Spring, Byrd, Glenvar, Botetourt and Staunton River are all at home on Friday night.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=BITE]
[RUNS=:10]
[OUT Q=...condition of the stadium."]
(---------------)
[TALENT=Kimberly]
[GRAPHIC=Hold]
Back in 19-85 when water at the stadium got so high that is rushed through the portals, PH had to play the district championship game with Pulaski at Salem.
The Patriots also played all the way through the state semi-finals at Salem Stadium that year.

[Boyfriend-Pillow]

No more lonely nights for single girls who want a little comfort while they sleep.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Nagareyama City, Japan;]

New on the Japanese market-- the BOYFRIEND pillow.
It's shaped like a giant arm that'll keep you warm all night.
The almost life- size boyfriend pillow is the product of the Japanese bed linen maker, Kameo Corporation.
The company's already sold more than a thousand pillows since its launch last year.
It costs about 80- dollars, but right now is only available in Japan over the Internet.
(------------)
[Quickcast]
[WXPRO/FULL]
QUICKCAST
[REPRS@CL]
SUPER=X4031; Fax/Copyright Noon/Weekends
[SUPER=X4030; e-Mail/Copyright Noon/Weekends]